# tailwind-refactor

A skill for refactoring Tailwind CSS classes: migrating from v3 to v4, replacing deprecated utilities and cleaning up code without changing the visual output.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 308 installs · ★ 218
- Author: pproenca
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.experimental/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-08-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/tailwind-refactor

## What it does

The skill packs 50 rules across eight categories, ordered by migration urgency. Configuration comes first: swapping `@tailwind` for `@import`, moving `tailwind.config.js` into a CSS `@theme` block, switching PostCSS to `@tailwindcss/postcss`. Then deprecated utilities, renames like `bg-gradient-*` to `bg-linear-*`, class consolidation and arbitrary value cleanup.

Every transformation keeps the current look and feel. The skill only touches syntax and v4 compatibility, so it will not redesign anything — the companion skills `tailwind-ui-refactor` and `tailwind-responsive-ui` cover visual and responsive work.

Run `npx @tailwindcss/upgrade` before migrating by hand. The automated tool handles most configuration and renamed utilities; the skill picks up what it misses. Skip that step and you will be redoing work the tool already did.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill tailwind-refactor -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/tailwind-refactor/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill tailwind-refactor -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill tailwind-refactor -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install pproenca/dot-skills tailwind-refactor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill tailwind-refactor -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills --path skills/.experimental/tailwind-refactor
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill tailwind-refactor -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.experimental/tailwind-refactor/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- move a project from Tailwind CSS v3 to v4
- drop deprecated utilities such as `flex-shrink` and `overflow-ellipsis`
- shorten long class strings with `size-*` and `inset-*`
- replace arbitrary hex colors with theme tokens
- pull bloated `@apply` blocks out of CSS files

## Example prompts
- Run tailwind-refactor over the components in `src/components` and list what changed
- Check this file for deprecated Tailwind utilities and swap them for current ones
- Draft a Tailwind v4 migration plan for this project, starting with configuration

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 350e7917a848169d.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 350e7917a848169d
```text
---
name: tailwind-refactor
description: Tailwind CSS code refactoring patterns for v4 migration and anti-pattern cleanup. This skill should be used when refactoring Tailwind utility classes, migrating from v3 to v4, cleaning up deprecated utilities, consolidating verbose class patterns, or removing code smells — all without changing the visual output. Triggers on tasks involving Tailwind CSS cleanup, v4 migration, class refactoring, @apply removal, or utility modernization.
---

# Community Tailwind CSS Refactoring Best Practices

Comprehensive code quality refactoring guide for Tailwind CSS applications targeting v4. Contains 50 rules across 8 categories, prioritized by migration urgency. Every transformation preserves the existing look and feel — this skill is purely about cleaner code, modern syntax, and v4 compatibility.

**Companion skills:** Use [tailwind-ui-refactor](../tailwind-ui-refactor/) for visual design improvements and [tailwind-responsive-ui](../tailwind-responsive-ui/) for responsive layout patterns.

## When to Apply

**Before manual migration:** Run `npx @tailwindcss/upgrade` first — it handles most configuration and renamed utility changes automatically. Then use this skill for patterns the automated tool does not cover.

Reference these guidelines when:
- Migrating a project from Tailwind CSS v3 to v4
- Cleaning up deprecated or renamed utility classes
- Consolidating verbose multi-class patterns
- Replacing arbitrary values with design tokens
- Removing `@apply` overuse in CSS files
- Modernizing syntax to v4 conventions

## Rule Categories by Priority

| Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix |
|----------|----------|--------|--------|
| 1 | Configuration Migration | CRITICAL | `config-` |
| 2 | Deprecated Utility Replacement | CRITICAL | `dep-` |
| 3 | Renamed Utility Updates | HIGH | `rename-` |
| 4 | Class Consolidation | HIGH | `class-` |
| 5 | Arbitrary Value Cleanup | MEDIUM-HIGH | `arb-` |
| 6 | Syntax Modernization | MEDIUM | `syntax-` |
| 7 | @apply & Architecture Cleanup | MEDIUM | `arch-` |
| 8 | Modern Feature Adoption | LOW-MEDIUM | `adopt-` |

## Quick Reference

### 1. Configuration Migration (CRITICAL)

- [`config-import-directive`](references/config-import-directive.md) - Replace @tailwind directives with @import
- [`config-css-theme`](references/config-css-theme.md) - Migrate tailwind.config.js to CSS @theme
- [`config-theme-function`](references/config-theme-function.md) - Replace theme() function with CSS variables
- [`config-theme-inline`](references/config-theme-inline.md) - Use @theme inline for non-utility design tokens
- [`config-utility-directive`](references/config-utility-directive.md) - Replace @layer utilities with @utility
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 350e7917a848169d

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